In a post-match interview following his controversial loss to Gordon Ryan at ADCC 2024, Felipe Pena shared his perspective on the scoring and revealed some surprising details about the physical toll of their intense grappling battle.
Pena expressed confusion over the scoring, stating: “I didn’t understand much the points they gave.” He described initiating a takedown that led to him taking Ryan’s back, but was surprised when Ryan was awarded points instead. “I initiated the attack, and I ended up on [the] back, and when I saw they gave two points, so I didn’t understand much,” Pena explained to flo.
The Brazilian grappler felt the match was evenly contested overall, saying: “I think it was a pretty even match.” He praised Ryan’s skills while also feeling confident in his own performance: “Gordon, it’s really good Jiu-Jitsu…I felt good. I think I was able to avoid his collar tie, don’t get tired, make him tire, use my collar tie.”
Perhaps most notably, Pena revealed that he believes he inflicted significant damage to Ryan’s knee during submission attempts. “I felt his knee and his foot pop a lot on the heel hook,” Pena stated. He added: “I felt his knee popping like three, four times, so I’m sure he got hurt, but he was tough, he didn’t tap.”
The scoring controversy appears to extend beyond just this match. ADCC veteran Dillon Danis posted on social media suggesting Ryan receives preferential treatment in ADCC rulesets. Danis compared the scoring in this match to his own 2017 ADCC match against Ryan, implying inconsistency in how the rules are applied.
But one doesn’t need to go as far back as 2017 to spot the double standards – on the very same day in a match between Oliver Taza and Mica Galvao, you can see Mica Galvao vs Oliver Taza. Taza is the one who “initiates a double”, gets counter underhooked and taken down. But no 2 points given at all, cause i presume Taza was the initiator.
Pena expressed openness to a rematch with Ryan, citing their “great rivalry.” Despite the controversial outcome, he maintained a positive outlook, thanking his supporters and expressing gratitude for the opportunity to compete at such a high level.
OK ADCC, explain this bias – why is one Not 2 points and the other is ? pic.twitter.com/IFEavhJrbs
— bjjpeds (@bjjpeds) August 18, 2024
